'Loving Tree' helps Byzantine parish reach out to homebound members

12/9/2016

"On it we placed the names of the homebound parishioners. Along with the name, there was a note asking each participant to take a name off the tree and to visit the person with a little gift and to let the shut-in know he is loved and not forgotten," Sandor explained.

Catholic youth ministers urged to walk with young adults as Jesus would

12/9/2016

Jesus Christ's example of friendship with his apostles is the model for "the start of ministry to young adults in the 21st century," a bishop told 1,000 members of the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry gathered in San Jose Dec. 2.

"Knowing he was to go to the cross, knowing that he was going to see his apostles at their ugliest -- as they left the upper room, he turned to them and said, 'I no longer call you my servants, I call you my friends,'" Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of Bridgeport, Connecticut, told the crowded ballroom.

Baby Jesus reminds us of painful plight of migrants, pope says

12/9/2016

The Christmas tree and Nativity scene are symbols of God's love and hope, reminding us to contemplate the beauty of creation and welcome the marginalized, Pope Francis said.

Baby Jesus, whose parents could find no decent shelter and had to flee persecution, is a reminder of the "painful experience" of so many migrants today, he said Dec. 9, just before the Vatican Christmas tree was to be lit and its Nativity scene was to be unveiled.

Mary shows what good comes from wholehearted 'yes' to God, pope says

12/8/2016

Although she was just a humble young woman from a small town, Mary's total "yes" to God was "the most important 'yes' of history" and overturned Adam and Eve's prideful "no," which unleashed sin into the world, Pope Francis said.

"With generosity and trust like Mary, may each of us say this personal 'yes' to God today," Pope Francis prayed Dec. 8 as he recited the Angelus prayer with visitors in St. Peter's Square on the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Saint Bede dedication postponed

Catholics urged to witness faith in public arena as St. Thomas More did

12/6/2016

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge said that during these unsettling times, Catholics must imitate the witness of St. Thomas More by bringing the joy of the Gospel to the public arena with conviction and love.

"We do so as we protect the unborn and the sacredness of life at every stage, as we uphold the dignity of each and every human person without exception, as we protect our religious freedom and lift up the beautiful vocation of marriage and its sanctity as Jesus taught," Bishop Burbidge said, "and of course, as we reach out in love to the poor and the needy and most vulnerable."

U.S. bishops dealing with election results

12/2/2016

At the fall general assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore in mid-November, church leaders tried to urge calm, caution and promote unity following an election season fueled by vitriol, name-calling and fear.

“The dust hasn’t settled on the election yet,” said Bishop Christopher J. Coyne of Burlington, Vermont, during a Nov. 14 news conference, adding that as a group of bishops, “we’ve just begun a conversation about how we’re going to move forward.”

Q-and-A on instruction on proper handling of ashes from cremation

12/2/2016

In 1963, the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued an instruction permitting cremation as long as it was not done as a sign of denial of the basic Christian belief in the resurrection of the dead.

The permission was incorporated into the Code of Canon Law in 1983 and the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches in 1990.

Bishop's Advent Letter 2016

12/2/2016

As I write this Advent letter to you, I hope you are looking forward to this special time of year to reflect on the abundant blessings God has bestowed on each of us. Although the daylight hours have grown shorter and night seems longer each day, in the midst of darkness, we recall how the light shines through with the promise of good things to come. So we continue our Advent waiting in joyful hope—just as the early Christians preparing for the day of salvation when the Lord will come.

Sr. Patricia Eck, CBS, celebrates Golden Jubilee

12/2/2016

When she entered St. Bridget School in Richmond as a member of the school’s first first grade, Sister Patricia Eck had no thought then that she would become the leader of a worldwide religious community.

Now more than 60 years later, Sister Pat, as she is best known, is Congregational Leader for the Congregation of the Sisters of Bon Secours of Paris. (The name Bon Secours is French for “Good Help.”)

New Benedictine scholarship to help more families

12/1/2016

Benedictine College Preparatory of Richmond is advancing a new initiative which seeks to make the Benedictine educational experience more affordable to middle-income families.

The Parater Middle-Class Scholarship will initially be available to next fall’s potential freshman students who are now 8th grade boys at Richmond Catholic “feeder” schools or Catholic 8th grade boys in Richmond area public schools.

The Center for Marriage, Family, and Life announces Respect Life essay and video contest

12/1/2016

The Center for Marriage, Family, and Life is excited to announce a Respect Life Essay and Video Contest for students in grades 7-12 and college age students attending colleges in the Diocese of Richmond.

Schools spread Christmas cheer

12/1/2016

“We get to own Christmas—most of the schools in our area are public schools or not religiously affiliated,” explains Wendy Cheers, Director of Marketing, Development & Admissions at Saint Anne School in Bristol.

Catholic schools catering to grades pre-K through 8th in the Soutwest Region of Virginia have a lot planned for the Christmas season—with most activities focused on giving. These beacons, all in relatively low population areas, are passionate about encouraging students to find people to serve during this holiday time.

Peninsula Catholic High School receives large gift

Advancing the freedom to serve

12/1/2016

Religious freedom issues have certainly been in the news in the U.S. over the past several years — from the Little Sisters of the Poor to the freedom of organizations to hire people who aim to serve the mission of the organization.

The federal government has played an unfortunate role in attempting to coerce people of faith to violate their consciences. Take the mandate from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (also known as the “HHS mandate”) that forces Catholics like the Little Sisters to facilitate drugs and devices that can cause an abortion, among other morally objectionable “services.”

Diversity theme dominates USCCB meeting

12/1/2016

A groundbreaking new study commissioned by the bishops that finds diversity abounds in the U.S. Catholic Church is a clarion call to Catholic institutions and ministries to adapt and prepare for growing diversity, said Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller of San Antonio.

Bishop DiLorenzo asks faithful to be generous to Catholic Charities at Christmas

12/1/2016

For centuries the Church has celebrated the season of Advent, a time of year to reflect on the gifts God has given us. In faith we respond to His grace as we joyfully await the coming of our Savior Jesus at Christmas.

Pope addresses religious about vow of poverty

12/1/2016

Taking a vow of poverty and having no personal property is not fulfilling the vow “if my institute allows me to manage or enjoy all the goods I desire,” the pope told the religious, who were in Rome for a symposium on economics and religious life.

Bishop Sullivan CHS places in WordWright Challenge

12/1/2016

A team of students representing Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School in Virginia Beach recently placed eighth in this year’s WordWright Challenge, a national competition for high school students requiring close reading and analysis of many different kinds of prose and poetry.

Compassion must live on

11/30/2016

Praying for the living, he said, can be done in many ways, such as: blessing one's children every morning and evening; visiting and praying for the sick; praying silently, "sometimes in tears," for help during difficult times; even thanking God for the blessings bestowed upon one's family, friends and co-workers.

Florence Henderson, A Catholic Life

11/30/2016

Henderson, who died unexpectedly Nov. 24 at age 82, was best known for her role as Carol Brady in the 1970s sitcom "The Brady Bunch." Originally broadcast from 1969 to 1974, the program has never been off the air and has been syndicated in over 122 countries. It remains one of the most beloved and most watched family shows of all time.

The chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities has called for increased efforts and "renewed vigor" to stop legalized physician-assisted suicide after the practice was approved by voters in Colorado and the District of Columbia City Council.

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York urged Catholics to join medical professionals, disability rights groups and others "in fighting for the authentic care" of people facing terminal illness in a statement released Nov. 21.

Proclaim Christ the king of mercy, pope says at end of Holy Year

11/21/2016

Following Christ the King, whose regal power is love and mercy, means the whole church and each Christian must "follow his way of tangible love," Pope Francis said.
Celebrating the feast of Christ the King Nov. 20 and officially closing the extraordinary jubilee celebration of the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis insisted, "we have received mercy in order to be merciful."

Pope extends special Year of Mercy provisions on confession

11/21/2016

"Mercy cannot become a mere parenthesis in the life of the church," the pope wrote in an apostolic letter, "Misericordia et Misera," ("Mercy and Misery"), which he signed Nov. 20 at the end of the Year of Mercy. The Vatican released the text the next day.

The Catholic Church's focus on God's mercy must continue with individual acts of kindness, assistance to the poor and, particularly, with encouraging Catholics to participate in the sacrament of reconciliation and making it easier for them to do so, the pope wrote.

Lori: 'Secularism divides our public selves from our private selves'

11/18/2016

Pope Pius XI instituted the Solemnity of Christ the King in 1925 with his encyclical "Quas Primas" ("In the first") to respond to growing nationalism and secularism. The Holy Father recognized that these related societal ills would breed increasing hostility against the church. His encyclical reminds the faithful that while governments and philosophies come and go, Christ reigns as king forever.

Cristo Rey Richmond gains traction and support

11/17/2016

Promoters of the proposed Cristo Rey High School in Richmond were energized to continue their effort after hearing from a Cristo Rey graduate from New York who shared his story of coming from a low-income family and his path to attending the University of Richmond where he is now a junior.

Gabriel Obregon, a 2013 graduate of Cristo Rey in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York City, had a chance to meet Father John Foley, a Jesuit who was instrumental in establishing the first such school which combines academics with on the job work experience.

Catholic lawyers urged to seek common good

Catholics who faithfully follow the law — both of Church and state — are doing what the Lord wants them to do, but they need to keep their focus on seeking the common good for all of society.

Father Paul Scalia, ordained a priest of the Diocese of Arlington in 1996, delivered this message at the annual Red Mass for members of the legal profession Nov. 10 at Mary Mother of the Church Benedictine Abbey in Richmond.

Simbang Gabi Masses scheduled throughout diocese

11/17/2016

This year marks the 8th anniversary of Simbang Gabi in the Diocese of Richmond. The “Simbang Gabi” is an ancient but little known way of preparing for the coming of the Child Jesus. The tradition developed out of the strictly house-bound posadas of Spain where Christmas Eve was the last visit made at the Church, in contrast to the homes with no room every earlier night, there was room for the Child Jesus.

Church design should inspire awe

11/17/2016

Liturgy is the work of God that invites human participation in praising God.

This definition was given by Brother William Woeger when he addressed a group of clergy and laity at a seminar on “Art and Architecture for Worship” sponsored by thec Diocesan Office of Worship Oct. 28 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Richmond.

HopeTree Family Services receives KOVAR grant

11/17/2016

KOVAR, a Virginia Knights of Columbus charity, recently provided an $18,400 grant to HopeTree Family Services and its newly constructed Blessing Home in Salem, in honor of Reverend Monsignor Joseph P Lehman. Msgr. Lehman, Pastor of Our Lady of Nazareth parish in Roanoke and a member of Roanoke K of C Council #562, was recognized for providing encouragement and support for the Knights in their KOVAR fundraising efforts.

Statewide LARCUM Conference set Dec. 2-3

11/17/2016

The annual Virginia LARCUM Conference will be held Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2-3 in Ashland. The statewide gathering will bring both clergy and laity from the Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Catholic and United Methodist faith traditions to have a dialogue on “Reformations, Then and Now.”

This year’s theme will observe the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and is asking the question “What is the church now called away from, and where is the church called to go?”

Live a 'spirituality of mercy'

11/17/2016

As the Jubilee Year of Mercy draws to a close, many Catholics still wonder about what is mercy and what it means to be merciful. This is the contention of Father Ronald Rolheiser, a priest of the Missionary Oblates, who spoke at Immaculate Conception in Hampton on Nov. 11 and at St. Mary’s in Richmond Nov. 12.

“Toward a spirituality of mercy” is Father Rolheiser’s preferred term for how Christian believers should be headed.

Holy Apostles comes to aid of hurricane victims

11/17/2016

When Hurricane Matthew flooded neighborhoods near South Lynnhaven Parkway the first week of October, the city of Virginia Beach lost no time designating the nearby Church of the Holy Apostles as a command post to assist more than 200 families of nearby Waypoint Apartments who were forced to leave their homes.

The Anglican-Roman Catholic faith community had been designated a Community Recovery Center.

Haiti gathering promotes fellowship, sharing

A dedicated planning committee composed of men and women from the Tidewater area met several times during the year to plan the event which was well-attended and included several dignitaries from Haiti.

Grandpals Day at Roanoke Catholic School

11/17/2016

More than 200 grandparents and “grandpals,”—including 96-year-old Brigadier General Leo LaCasse, a B-17 bomber pilot who flew 35 missions during World War II—attended Grandpals Day and Veterans Day service at Roanoke Catholic School on November 10.

Floods don't stop Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph

11/17/2016

After scrambling to save what they could, including the Blessed Sacrament in their chapel, the three Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph in Virginia Beach huddled together on their kitchen island for several hours while floodwater from the “aftermath of Hurricane Matthew” gushed into their convent Oct. 9. Afterwards there was an outpouring of love as parishes, Catholic organizations, businesses and individuals in the area began donating their time and money to offset the cost to repair the convent, replace its furnishings and replace their three cars. However, at press time on Nov. 16, they were still hoping for thousands of more dollars.

OLMC, Newport News, celebrates 25 years of outreach

Charlottesville Catholic School celebrates 20th anniversary

11/17/2016

Christ, Community, and Scholars are the three pillars of Charlottesville Catholic School, and they were on full display October 8th through 10th for the school’s 20th Anniversary and STEAM Building Dedication. The weekend featured a Saturday morning annual 5k Race and Fun Run, Saturday evening social gatherings for parents, alumni, founders, and benefactors, a Sunday afternoon Mass and school picnic, and Monday’s Annual Gene Corrigan Golf Tournament.